Rodney Crider, President & CEO, Rowan Economic Development Council

In an interview with Invest:, Rodney Crider, president and CEO of the Rowan Economic Development Council (EDC), said that the county’s strategic location, business-friendly policies, and collaborative workforce development are driving its successful economic transition. “Rowan County aims to equip every resident with the mindset of continuous improvement necessary to adapt and thrive in the evolving economy,” said Crider.

How does Rowan County’s location and infrastructure give it a competitive edge in attracting employers?

Our location within North Carolina is a significant asset, as we are positioned halfway between the Charlotte region and the Piedmont Triad region centered around Winston-Salem. This strategic placement allows employers located in Rowan County to access labor from both major markets, as we are within a 45-minute drive of each. This dramatically expands the potential workforce pool for any company that chooses to locate here. From a logistics perspective, the recent widening of I-85, completed approximately five years ago, has been a critical upgrade. This improvement has shortened drive times to key destinations like uptown Charlotte and the airport, removing a previous hindrance and making our region more accessible. 

A third key factor is our pro-business environment at the county level. We work diligently with potential employers to meet their needs, but the feature that consistently garners the most positive feedback is our seven-day guarantee on permitting. While surrounding communities can take months for permit approvals, our county planning department completes the process in just seven business days. This commitment to speed to market is a tremendous advantage. Overall, our position within the growing Charlotte metro area, which attracts 154 new residents daily, ensures that companies locating here have access to both a robust market and a deep labor pool.

What industry trends are influencing development in Rowan County today?

While our marketing efforts are targeted toward specific industries, market forces also play a significant and welcome role in our development. Our prime location on the East Coast, halfway between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, and directly on the I-85 corridor, makes us a natural hub for logistics and distribution. In recent years, we have seen a substantial influx of these companies, attracted not only by the location but also by our lower development costs and rapid permitting process. A flagship example is Macy’s, which is celebrating the grand opening of its new distribution and fulfillment center here after a two-year development process. This holiday season, orders from Macy’s will ship directly from Rowan County. Other major players, like Chick-fil-A Supply, have also established facilities here. This growth is primarily market-driven, as our county does not fund public industrial parks; instead, we have private developers who are building spec buildings to meet the high demand for distribution space. Concurrently, we are observing increased activity in the manufacturing sector. Developers are now beginning to adjust to this market shift by constructing facilities that are better suited for manufacturing operations, indicating a healthy and diversifying industrial base.

How is Rowan building a robust and responsive workforce development ecosystem?

Rowan County is building a robust and responsive workforce development ecosystem through a deeply integrated, multilevel strategy that forges a seamless talent pipeline from the classroom to a career. This system is defined by its strong alignment between K-12 schools, community colleges, four-year institutions, and local employers.

The foundation is laid in the K-12 system through initiatives like Manufacturing Week, which organizes over 20 student tours to local manufacturing sites, exposing them to a wide array of careers. The partnership extends to annual job fairs and advisory councils where business leaders help shape curriculum. A cornerstone of this effort is the system of career academies, such as the highly popular manufacturing academy in Salisbury, which saw approximately 60% of the student body apply in its inaugural year. These programs allow students to earn industry credentials, like a Certified Production Technician certificate, while still in high school.

The ecosystem seamlessly bridges to higher education. The community college acts as a critical connector, offering dual enrollment so students can earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma, with a guarantee that all credits transfer to four-year institutions. Its most responsive feature is its agility in adapting to local market demands, as it quickly developed a six-week, no-cost Certified Logistics Technician program to meet industry needs.

This entire collaborative system is guided by monthly high-level meetings between college presidents, the K-12 superintendent, the county commission chairman, and economic development leaders. The strategy also focuses on connecting four-year college students with local employers through internships, fostering relationships that encourage graduates to launch their careers within the county, thereby retaining high-level talent.

How is Rowan fostering a culture of continuous learning to future-proof its workforce?

We are actively working to foster a pervasive culture of continuous, or lifelong, learning to future-proof Rowan’s workforce against rapid technological advancement. The fundamental understanding driving this initiative is that an individual cannot simply earn a two-year or four-year degree and consider their education complete. The pace of technological change demands that learning must be a constant and ongoing process throughout one’s entire career. The county’s approach to instilling this mindset is intentionally inclusive, encompassing both formal, institutional education and informal, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. The philosophy is that learning can occur anywhere, from a structured classroom at a community college to a more casual setting where one individual, such as a skilled mechanic, teaches another a practical skill like changing the oil in a car. By encouraging all forms of learning and emphasizing that the need for constant skill development is perpetual, Rowan County aims to equip every resident with the mindset of continuous improvement necessary to adapt and thrive in the evolving economy.

What is driving the continued economic development interest in Rowan County?

Our outlook is positive. We are still seeing strong interest in Rowan County, particularly in spec building development from outside developers who are coming from all parts of the country, not just locally, because they see the potential in this region. As long as we have existing buildings available, we will continue to see interest in our community. The availability of a building or a shovel-ready site has been one of the biggest drivers of location decisions in recent years, as companies want to get their product to market as quickly as possible and do not want to wait 12, 18, or 24 months to construct a new facility. We have a variety of existing buildings, from 700,000 square feet down to 110,000 square feet. Therefore, we believe we will continue to see strong interest from companies wanting to locate here, not only for that reason but also for the other reasons I cited earlier. Unless something external to us implodes, we see a strong market for Rowan County for at least the next three to five years. 

Regarding our top priorities, there are two main areas. First, we want to continue to stimulate growth. We would specifically like to encourage more manufacturing companies to locate here. That is a priority. We are not excluding other sectors, but we would like to see more project wins in the manufacturing sector. Second, managing the growth that is occurring is critical. We had a significant meeting recently about an issue that economic developers have not traditionally been involved with: housing. The question is, how do we provide housing for the people moving here, and how do we ensure it is high-quality and affordable? This was a meeting of influential community leaders, and one member of my board stated that this is a narrative we must continue to discuss and lead on as an organization. This will lead us into other growth-related issues, making it a priority for us going forward.

How has your organization’s relationship with Livingstone College contributed to your workforce or business goals, and what value does the college bring to the region?

Livingstone College is an important partner in Rowan County’s workforce development ecosystem. The college helps develop talent that supports the needs of existing employers while also strengthening our ability to recruit new businesses considering investment in the region. As a historically Black college and university, Livingstone expands access to higher education and helps diversify the workforce, which is increasingly important to employers seeking talent with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

Beyond workforce development, Livingstone contributes to the region’s quality of life, entrepreneurial activity, and civic leadership. Its presence enhances the Charlotte region’s competitiveness by producing graduates who choose to live, work, and lead in our communities.

From your perspective, what role do colleges like Livingstone play in preparing students for today’s workforce and meeting the evolving needs of employers?

Today’s employers are looking for more than technical skills. They need graduates who can think critically, communicate effectively, adapt to change, and work collaboratively. Institutions like Livingstone College are well positioned to provide that foundation while also aligning academic programs with emerging workforce demands.

Equally important is exposing students to real-world business experiences through internships, mentorships, project-based learning, and engagement with local employers. Those connections help students better understand career opportunities while giving businesses access to emerging talent before graduation. Colleges serve as an essential bridge between education and employment.

Looking ahead, where do you see the greatest opportunities for collaboration between businesses and Livingstone College?

The greatest opportunities lie in creating deeper, more intentional partnerships between employers and the college. Expanding internship and apprenticeship programs, developing employer-informed curriculum, increasing faculty and industry collaboration, and creating more opportunities for students to engage directly with local businesses will all strengthen the talent pipeline.

We also see opportunities to collaborate around entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry-specific workforce initiatives in areas such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, information technology, and business services. By working together, Livingstone College, the Rowan EDC, and the private sector can ensure students graduate with skills that match employer needs while creating a stronger regional economy that benefits businesses, graduates, and the entire community.